Our friends over at Newswhistle.com, a website covering the latest news and tips from around the world, have rounded up some of Fall’s most exciting events and activities in Upstate New York.

Stay at the Hillside Schoolhouse in Barryville, NY

The Hillside Schoolhouse is a boutique inn located in the Sullivan County, just 90 miles from New York City. Originally built in 1893 as a one-room school, this landmark has been lovingly restored, combining historic charm with contemporary design. Husband and wife team Bronson and Courtney Bigelow discovered the abandoned schoolhouse, which had been turned into a gospel church in the 1950s, and restored the timeworn beauty. Bronson designs and handcrafts beautiful custom furniture which he features in the hotel and sells online.

Hillside Schoolhouse is located at 259 Van Tuyl Road, Barryville, New York 12719

Take a canoe or kayak down the Delaware River

Rent a canoe, raft, kayak or tube and travel down the Delaware, a 40-mile river valley set within the 70-000-acre Water Gap National Recreation area. This historic area, which has become a popular vacation spot outside of winter, has an abundance of wildlife, including eagles, hawks deer, and even the occasional black beer. Paddlers of any experience can enjoy the great outdoors from the river which is nestled between low forested mountains. Both day trips and overnight camping trips are available.

Relax at TheLodge at Woodloch’s luxurious spa

The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, Pennsylvania, was recently named Travel + Leisure’s No. 3 destination spa in the world. Situated two hours northwest of New York City on 150 secluded wooded acres, the 40,000-square-foot spa boasts a fireplace-equipped quiet room and hydro-massage pools. It offers day packages to those who wish to experience unique and luxurious spa treatments and services in one of their 27 specialized treatment rooms. Travel + Leisure recommends the Rosemary Awakening for its “wrap of warm seaweed steeped in the extract of Icelandic moss”.

HydroMassage Water Walls (Photo: The Lodge at Woodloch — A Destination Spa Facebook.com)

Hire a bike from Ridgeback Sports in Callicoon

When celebrity personal trainer Thelonious “T.J” Johnson and his wife moved back to his hometown of Calicoon, Sullivan County, they decided to create a mecca for kids and adults alike to find their inner athlete and get outside to explore the beautiful area. They created Ridgeback Sports, which offers all sorts of sports rentals, but also advice on diet, nutrition, training and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They also offer guided bike tours along the Delaware River, group runs, one-on-one personal training with TJ Johnson, and paddle boarding adventures.

The Third Annual Big Eddy Film Festival begins this Friday with the IFC Film Goodbye To All That, directed by Angus MacLachlan and starring Paul Schneider, Melanie Lynskey, and Amy Sedaris. The Festival aims to advance the traditional art of storytelling by showing the newest and best independent films from around the world in Narrowsburg. This year the film selection includes four documentaries, two narrative features, and 21 short films, plus a program of films currently being made by local youth. A total of 31 directors will be presenting works at the Festival. Five of the film selections have a local connection to Sullivan County and/or the Catskills region. There are two programs of family-friendly short films.

Upstate New York is winning over those searching for an alternative getaway to the Hamptons, and many affordable turn-key homes on offer are luring young families and professionals.

Catskill Farms is a company known for their stunning traditional country farmhouses and cottages just 100 miles outside of the city in the picturesque Catskill mountain region – often for less than the cost of a NYC parking spot.

Catskill Farm owner Chuck Petersheim told the NY Post they specialize in what he calls “new old” homes, using a template of five classic designers – cottage, farmhouse, barn, mini-cottage and mid-century ranch. They vary greatly in size and cost and are fully customizable. But the majority of his clients opt for something between a two-bedroom, 1,300-square-foot cottage and a three-bedroom, 1,800-square-foot farmhouse, selling in the $350,000 to $500,000 range.

He says virtually all of his clients are New York City residents building their first second homes upstate, mostly couples, but also many singles.